OCN 330 / ORE 330

Mineral & Energy Resources of the Sea

Fall 2012

T-Th ¨ 10:30-11:45 am ¨ MSB 315

 

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Instructors:  John C. Wiltshire (JW)          johnw@soest.hawaii.edu   Ph: 956-6042, MSB 319 (ofc hrs by appt)

                    Gary M. McMurtry (GM)      garym@soest.hawaii.edu   Ph: 956-6858, MSB 325 (ofc hrs by appt)

 

 

AUG 21

 

Introduction to course

JW/GM

 

23

 

Introduction to Ocean Energy

JW

 

 

 

 

 

 

28

 

Peak Everything I: Population & Fossil Fuels

GM

 

30

 

Peak Everything II: Minerals

GM

 

 

 

 

 

 

SEPT 4

 

Oil and Gas

JW

 

6

 

Resource Distribution & politics of oil & gas

JW

 

 

 

 

 

 

11

 

Future oil provinces, oil spills & oil spill recovery

JW

 

13

 

(TBD)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18

 

Mid-ocean ridges, basins and trenches

GM

 

20

 

Overview of submarine hydrothermal systems

GM

 

 

 

 

 

25

 

Origins of high and low-temperature hydrothermal deposits

GM

 

27

 

Recyling of ocean crust and the Geostill Concept

GM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OCT 2

 

Chemistry of hydrothermal vents and polymetallic sulfides I

GM

 

4

 

Chemistry of hydrothermal vents and polymetallic sulfides II

GM

 

 

 

 

 

9

 

Geology of ferromanganese crusts and nodules

GM

 

11

 

Chemistry of crusts and chemical variability with age

GM

 

 

 

 

 

 

16

 

Platinum and phosphorite-rich layers:  Seawater vs. extraterrestrial sources

GM

 

18

 

*** MIDTERM EXAMINATION ***

GM

 

 

 

 

 

 

23

 

Phosphorites

GM

 

25

 

Placer deposits

GM

 

CONTINUED on REVERSE


 

 

OCT 30

 

Methane Hydrates

JW

 NOV  1

 

OTEC (Ocean thermal energy conversion)

JW

 

 

 

 

6

 

*** ELECTION DAY - NO UH CLASSES ***

--

8

 

Wind power

JW

 

 

 

 

13

 

Wave power

JW

15

 

Current and tidal power

JW

 

 

 

 

20

 

Energy futures, hydrogen, fuel cells

JW

22

 

*** THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY ***

 

 

 

 

 

27

 

Fresh water and desalination

JW

29

 

Mining technology for manganese nodules, crusts and sulfides

JW

 

 

 

 

DEC 4

 

Marine minerals development - Legal and environmental issues

JW

6

 

Mineral Economics of Marine Mining      (Last day of instruction)

JW

 

 

 

 

TUES Dec 11

9:45 am - 11:45 am, MSB 315       *** FINAL EXAMINATION ***

 

 

                           Distribution of Grade Points:    Homework Assignments         20%

                                                                              Midterm Exam                        40%

                                                                              Final Exam                              40%

 

 

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of OCN/ORE 330, the student should be able to:

1)      Understand the various types of marine minerals, their mode of formation and their importance geologically and economically.

2)      Understand the various options for deriving energy from the ocean and the potential advantages and disadvantages of each.

3)      Understand the legal, environmental, economic and technical difficulties in extracting  minerals and energy from the ocean.

  Last updated November 28, 2012